ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Amanda Nielson recorded a career-high 20 kills to lead Utah State's women's volleyball team to a three-game sweep (30-26, 30-21, 30-25) against UC Riverside in the final day of competition at the 2006 Hilton Albuquerque Classic Saturday.
USU improved to 2-1 on the young season with the win, while the Highlanders fell to 0-3 with the loss.
Nielson, who was named to the all-tournament team, also recorded seven digs, three blocks, and three service aces in the match as the Aggies finished the Hilton Albuquerque Classic in second-place. Stephen F. Austin won the tournament with a 3-0 record, while New Mexico finished in third-place (1-2), and UC Riverside in fourth-place (0-3).
Utah State will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 2 when it plays Oregon and Cal State Northridge in the 2006 Fremont Loans and Investment Invitational hosted by the Matadors.
COUGARS SWEEP: In Orlando, Fla., the BYU women's volleyball team recorded its third sweep of the weekend with a 30-13, 30-20, 30-25 win over Stetson Saturday afternoon to take home the Central Florida Invitational title. Cougar junior rightside hitter Erica Lott earned tournament MVP honors, joining senior middle blocker Lindsy Hartsock on the All-Tournament team.
UTES LOSE: At Gainsville, Fla., the University of Utah volleyball team dropped its first match of the season, falling to 1-1 overall on a 3-1 loss to the No. 5-ranked Florida Gators in the Aquafina Invitational this evening. Game scores were 30-25, 33-35, 32-30 and 30-26. Florida out-hit Utah .232-.199 but Utah led at the net by out-blocking its rivals, 16-13.
WILDCATS SPLIT: At Brookings, S.D., the Weber State volleyball team split two matches Saturday and picked up its first win of the season at the South Dakota State Jackrabbit Kickoff. Weber State lost 3-0 to Washington State in the first match of the day but bounced back with a 3-1 win over North Dakota State in the final match of the tournament.
UVSC FALLS TO ASU: At Tempe, Ariz., the Utah Valley State volleyball team fell to Arizona State in three games 30-22, 30-13, 30-21 on the second day of the Sun Devil Classic Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Sun Devils, who defeated Northeastern in three games on Friday night, hit .317 as a team and held the Wolverines to a .158 hitting clip to secure the sweep.